Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-08
WHITE HOUSE PLANTS.

her social duties IS WISH W INV ~
,eryatories OF the executive mansion
: sometimes alone and again with som
calling lad, friend. to enjoy the select
al beauties of plant life OF the iuxurl
rus and more ginial climes OF IN
warmer zones. Since their interna
reconstruction and renovation last sum
ner. writes Washington correspond en-
10 The Philadelphia Times, the conserv'
stories under the intelligent care oil tht
experimenting florist are amongst the
most attractive features OF the oxecu
i've mansion. The main conservatory
which is entered from the promenade
corridor and the state dining-room, IS
| l65 feet long and forty-eight feet vide.
| yith sides and lofty double-pitcli roof
| II glass. At the further end is wing
,ixty feet long BY thirty-two feet wide.
A promenade fonr feet wide and nearly
| i've hundred feet in length. paved with
artificial stone. extends around the
| ,onservatories between the slate bench
). upon which rest In pots the rarest
,lants. representing almost every vari-
,ty Of size form and color of foliage
md dover, and affords the conven cnce
q delightful and pleasing stroll
,mong the charming flora of the lat
tudes near the equator.
The arrangement Of the plants is
With reference 10 variety OF foliage and
,olors, As the towering plants are
ust coming into bloom the effect is
sery fine. being suggestive OF the
soluptuous vegetation oil the tropics.
The ladies' Of the executive household
ind their visits particularly Interesting
II this time This collection IS almost
exclusively for decorative purposes. IL
,mhraces palms. crotons, dracenas, en-
huriums, axaleas, carnations. lies.
amellias. Roses. and long list of the
,t.ier multitudinous varieties OF plants
attractive on account of their foliage or
faluable for cut flowers. The plants
lumoer about fifty thousand In the
collection are many varieties OF value
or Their historic association or rarity.
The finest specimen of the cyca revoluta
" sage palm. the largest in the United
States. was brought from the West
indies on one of the clippers of
wealthy Baltimore ship-owner, and pre-
'ented 10 Gen. Washington. who placed
{ In his conservatory at Mount Vernon.
After his death ii passed into other
aands. aud when sold. about thirty
icsrs ago, was purchased for the execu-
i've mansion. There are also fine
specimens Of the bird s-nest fern of
Australia one hundred varieties of
heamaryllis. many now in bloom.
several of the antherium grande, and
he beautiful phoine-cophorum. or
,cckellcranum. a variety OF palm.
The latest novelty Is the enthurium
sentricolnm. new plant reared from
seed found secreted among the roots
II an Orchid brought from Brazil.
The seed developed into large plant,
with slender pointed leaves three feet
ong Tho flower is large and of
:reamy-whte hue, spotted and tinted
with maroon inside. and is as fragrant
As the magnolia grandiflora. 1t buds
1t the base OF each one OF the many
caves which form a sort OF crown,
There Is also a cyca from the Sand
sich islands. sent as present bv Mrs.
comly when her husband was minister
resident at the court of that insular
kingdom in the soltudes of the Pac iic.
The acacia bgbexence in bloom Is also
sery beautiful. During the drawing
'ooms Of Mrs Cleveland and the levees
Df the president the eonserva,or,es are
brown open to the visiting public. and
are greatly enjoyed by the ladies. The
most interesting feature Of the eollee-
ion are the orchids or air plants.
Their delicate flowers and tints usually
all forth 'rapturous admiration. The
collection of orchids Is not the largest
nor the finest, that rank being held by
he collection of Mr. Corning, of AL
oany. the value of which Is put down
Al $4,000 A greenhouse has been
devoted 10 the propagation and culture
81 these rare aud curious representa-
ives OF the plant kingdom. Every
'eason therefore finds new acquisitions
o the white house possessions in that
branch. and which some day will take
4 leading place.
The florist Of the executive mansion.
who has brought the Conservatives up |
% their present thrifty condition. is |
Henry Phlster, . Swiss. who learned !
1ls art among flowers and plants under |
hensserman. the superintendent of the |
eonservatories and gardens of Rech- |
berg, belonging TO the palace of the
)pulent Banker Schulteness. of Zurich. |
Tie followed his art in Germany. France
and England. and came to the United |
States in 1872 and became florist on |
he estate belonging to Jay Cooke at |
Walnut Hill, in the suburbs of Clnein- |
.latL His skill having attracted atten- !
ion. he was placed in charge of the
Of the executive man !
SION in 1877. and since that time has
made great Improvements in the build !
ngs. collection of plants, and their ar
Engagements. Dat of the annual appro- |
priation of 5000 the conservatories |
lave become source Of Just pride TO |
he occupants of the executive mansion |
and the visiting public on social occa- |
,ions.
The superb floral displays at the state |
dinners and leyees are the growth uf |
he Conservatives, fashioned into dec
oratiye arrangements and forms by the
iorist in charge. The tables at the
'tate dinners during the present season
iaYe been masterpieces in floral deco |
'ative ART. and have enlisted the high
- eneoniums from those honorcd rs
quests on these high state occasions of
official dining
During the hotter months OF the sum-
ner The large plants are taken from the
'onsegratories and placed ON the lawns
,ro"nd the mansion. producing an cf-
Get suggestive OF the luxuriant growth
ind scenic beauty of nature in the equa-
orial belt around the earth.
Some Mitigating circumstances.
See here. Jones. want 10 talk tn